site.btaMonday Protests Aftermath: State Budget Bill Withdrawn, Opposition to Table No-Confidence Vote, President Asks Cabinet to Resign

Monday's large-scale protests in Sofia and across the country, as well as the riots in the capital late that same day, sparked many comments and reactions on Tuesday. The protests were organized by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) against the 2026 State Budget Bill, with the subsequent demand for its withdrawal and revision turning into a demand for the resignation of the Cabinet. 

Before noon on Tuesday, the Council of Ministers proposed that the National Assembly adopt a decision to withdraw the 2026 State Budget Bill. The same decision also withdraws the National Health Insurance Fund Bill and Public Social Insurance Budget Bill. 

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the protests against the 2026 [draft State] budget are of a social and human nature and are an expression of the demand for more rights, democracy, and justice. However, he added there will be no government resignation: "Without a budget just weeks before Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, we do not have the right to abdicate," he argued.

Later, the National Assembly published its agenda for Wednesday, which includes the draft resolution, proposing to give consent for the withdrawal of the 2026 State Budget Bill, National Health Insurance Fund Budget Bill, and the Public Social Insurance Budget Bill.

President Rumen Radev gave an address to the nation broadcast on Bulgarian National Television in the afternoon. He said that this Cabinet has failed, its resignation is inevitable and snap elections are the only way to go. Radev called for "unity, will and wisdom" and said it is a historic chance not to be missed. 

As Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova met with employers’ organizations and trade unions on Tuesday, it transpired that the government is trying to fill a BGN 1.5 billion shortfall in the public purse after a decision to revisit the 2026 State Budget Bill. "The effect of the measures that the governing majority has decided to remove from the new draft budget for 2026 will create the need to find nearly BGN 1.5 billion, which will be sought through reducing the expenditure side of the budget, including capital investments, as well as through measures on the revenue side," she said.

GERB-UDF Floor Leader Boyko Borissov said he "will stop complying and silently accepting all kinds of unreasonable demands for an indisputably poorly structured budget". "Either stand with GERB and we will work together with a majority of 121 MPs to draw up a new budget, or we will hold elections," he added.

Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) leader Roumen Hristov, who is also GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader, said Monday's protests drew "quite a few people" and the government is fully aware of what is happening. "The opposition's impatience and attempts to clear the way for [President] Rumen Radev are what is pushing so many people onto the streets," Hristov said. In his view, if early elections are held, Radev will enter the political stage.

Deputy Prime Minister and Bulgarian Socialist Party Chair Atanas Zafirov said that "the new procedure that is opening now gives an additional chance for some of the things we were unable to negotiate in the old budget to be included in the new one." 

At a news briefing earlier on Tuesday, CC-DB called for the Cabinet's resignation and snap elections. Later, Continue the Change Chair Assen Vassilev said that the parliamentary group will submit a vote of no confidence against Zhelyazkov's Cabinet on Friday. He promised that next week, when the no-confidence debate takes place in the plenary hall, there will be an even bigger protest "to say 'Enough!' and 'Give a chance to Bulgaria’s future!."

This will be the sixth vote of no confidence against the Council of Ministers.

CC-DB Deputy Floor Leader Bozhidar Bozhanov said that “with such public anger, no government with even a little common sense would insist on staying in power”. He argued that “the initiative for the provocations came from the government, most likely from Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning Chair and Floor Leader Delyan Peevski himself, because the police response was inadequate”.

CC-DB MP Andrey Tsekov wrote on Facebook that small groups of 15–20 youths were embedded in the demonstration, aged roughly 15 to 20, dressed identically in black tracksuits, matching black windbreakers, and masks. They kept to the side and visibly did not fit into the peaceful procession. “As we approached the headquarters of the MRF, they rushed ahead and began throwing explosives. I personally tore a huge metal frame from the hands of one such group, and together with other protesters we dispersed them. Meanwhile, our ‘militia’ was diligently asleep under the wing of the favourite poodle of New Beginning,” the post continues.

The Continue the Change political party distanced itself from the acts of vandalism and violence that occurred during Monday night’s protest in Sofia. The party published photos on Facebook showing thousands of peacefully demonstrating citizens, accompanied by the message: “This is what one of the most beautiful, peaceful, and youth-led protests in our recent history looked like. What happened at the end had different authors, and we categorically distance ourselves from all acts of vandalism and violence.”

Vazrazhdane Floor Leader Kostadin Kostadinov said that protests must continue, and there should be no concessions until the government-backing coalition is forced to resign. “For us, this protest shows that a large part of Bulgarian society does not want to be trampled on and kept in a state of servitude. To me, this was the voice of the Bulgarian people,” he added.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms - New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski argued that the President was the real organizer of "the riots, arson, and chaos" which took place on Monday. “You and Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria used young people! And they will not forgive you for that,” he said.

MECh Chair Radostin Vasilev called for the resignation of the Government, writing on Facebook that the three budget bills have been withdrawn. He argued that “the only way out is for the government to resign, for Bulgaria to refuse entry into the eurozone, for immediate elections to be held, and for a majority to form against GERB and MRF–New Beginning.”

Velichie Floor Leader Ivelin Mihaylov said that the party will not organize its own protests but will participate locally in ongoing demonstrations. He added that he supports the public demand for the Government’s resignation, saying that both MRF - New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski and GERB-UDF Floor Leader Boyko Borissov must be dismissed. 

Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, head of the Sofia Directorate of the Interior, said that "the protest proceeded peacefully, quietly, and calmly, and I congratulate the citizens for that." He explained that the escalation was caused by individuals who had been organized in advance. A total of 71 people have been detained, Nikolov added.

Sofia Municipal Inspectorate Chief Nikolay Nedelkov reported that there is damage to infrastructure, waste containers, the urban environment, and trams from the public transport system. According to him, the cost of the damage is more than BGN 80,000. Over 70 waste containers and street bins have been burned or broken, over 180 bike lane barriers have been torn down or burned, and 30 anti-parking bollards have been destroyed. Some 35 sq. m of pavement has been damaged or destroyed. Tram windows have been smashed.

Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association Chair Rumen Radev, who is also the rotating chairman of the Association of Bulgarian Employer Organizations, said that employers view the withdrawal of the 2026 State Budget Bill as a response to the business sector’s demand for more in-depth changes, but their satisfaction will depend on whether adequate amendments are made.

Sofia's Emergency Medical Service spokesperson Katya Sungarska said that there were no seriously injured people or individuals in life-threatening condition following Monday’s protest in Sofia against the adoption of the 2026 State Budget Bill.